I must say, when I got online I had no idea that tab was such a popular means of learning guitar ... I don't even think I knew what it was. It did, and still does really, seem like a bad way to learn, but then I realized it was pretty much the same as standard notation. I think we all go through the stage when we want to sound exactly like someone else, and if the tab/notation is accurate, it's not a bad way to achieve that, especially for those who haven't got a good ear for music. I use it all the time in my lessons, but I always do try to emphasize the basic theory too ... the related chords, the Roman numerals, the 1-3-5 construction of chords, etc., and the idea of LISTENING ... the idea that there is no one way to play anything.
I agree that there must be a whole lot more mediocre players out there than before, people with no real gift for music but who can convey a tune or two ... that can only be a good thing though. Better to be twanging than to be just watching TV, or hanging out at the shopping centre ... or car-jacking or ram-raiding. Playing music is good for the soul no matter how you learn it, or how deeply you delve into it.
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